When I begin working in my art journal I tend to think about how my day went ....bad
my entry gets a bit dark and I tend to use darker paints, images, and inks!!If
a good or not wanting to think what kind of day it is, then I grab the 1st image
I like or I may have found something earlier in the week or so and decide
to use that!! I like to use paints,or papers and or both and of course inks
to create my backgrounds, you can use your favorite stamps, magazine images
and/or words, text, printed images, photos, fabric tags, movie stubs, cards or
whatever you would like to add, to remind you of that particular day or time, any
things that can be glued, sewn, wired, stapled, brads, eyelets, or attached
by whatever means can be put in your art journal!
Just Play and express
yourself!!!!
Let loose and write

whatever comes to mind and if don't want others to read it or be able to see it then
paint or stamp or put papers over it!!! say what you need to using the images
you have and add magazine or old vintage text
papers or whatever comes
to mind!! I tend to use whatever happens to be
on my art table at the time
and always have something I have saved just for my journal!!! I tend to use
whatever I am in the mood for my
backgrounds depending on what I want to
play with!! I would like to
find time to create more in my journal but don't
always find it!!
I have learned though, to try setting aside at least
15 minutes each day
and at least do something art wise!! and you can do
that with your
journal even if just to create a background!!! One thing Teesha
Moore does in hers is to paint several pages ahead of time (4-5) so

you have a place to start!! especially if you don't work well with a blank page!
I like creating mine as I go along, so each individual page is different, as are
you ideas and techniques! I also like using 140# hot press water color paper
because it is smooth to write, doodle, draw (no I don't draw, can't make stick
figures, but I know some are great artists so it is a nice paper to draw on! I
am currently working in a special made journal by Leslie Herger from
www.comfortableshoesstudio.com I love her leather journals, and have 3. Now of course you can make
your own very simply or even buy one or just use an old book and alter it for your
journal. An Art Journal is a place to let yourself go and create art or just
write and doodle whatever makes you happy it's your journal,
If I can help
in anyway please let me know just email me and check out the
Yahoo groups,
lots there and also for fab eye candy of course Teesha
Moore's site.
Gillian has displayed several pages in my art journal
and an Engagement
Calendar RR I am doing which I used as a journal too. I have found creating in
my journal to be very freeing and also a great outlet to express your feelings
and also to practice art and try new and fun ideas and techniques!! so have fun
with your journal it's not supposed to be a chore!!! Thanks Gillian for letting
me share. Linda Koch Feb 06,